‘Tis the Season to Keep Your Christmas Tree Green and Gorgeous

The halls are decked, the presents are being wrapped, the turkey has been ordered. Everything feels merry and bright … except that your tree is dying, and it’s only mid-December. Uh oh.

Okay, don’t worry. That’s just a hypothetical situation. So far, anyway. If you want to prevent needles dropping off and O Tannenbaum going brown before you even open your presents, here’s your quick guide.

Cut Off the Bottom Before Putting Up Your Tree

Trees aren’t kept in water when they’re in tree lots, but like any other plant, they need water to stay green and beautiful. Trouble is, they can’t absorb it well with a crusted-over bottom, so you need to cut it off. Usually, some evening out is required anyway, so use a regular saw to remove the bottom inch or so before you bring your tree inside.

Don’t Keep It Near Heat Sources

Sure, nothing looks quainter than a tree by a roaring hearth, but there’s no faster way to dry it out than with constant heat. Put it in a corner by itself, away from heating vents, radiators, and gas or wood fireplaces.

Keep the Water Level High

At all times, the water level should be above the base of the trunk. In other words, the bottom of the trunk, where you made the cut, should always be immersed. The best way to do this is to familiarize yourself with how deep your finger should go into the water, then refill with a watering can when it’s not deep enough.

Dispose the Right Way

When you’re done with your tree, you can dispose of it by placing it curbside and waiting for your garbage service to pick it up. Of course, disposing of your Christmas tree becomes even easier if you already have a brush pile that needs taking care of. In that case, just toss ye olde Xmas tree on top and call in the brush clearing pros: Premier Tree Solutions.

We’re a growing tree removal business based in Atlanta and we’d love to help you shape up your yard for the new year. In addition to brush clearing, we also offer tree trimming and pruning, storm cleanup and first aid for trees damaged by weather, debris removal, stump grinding, and more. So enjoy the holiday season now, and get ready for an awesome year ahead by calling us soon! Give us a call at 404-252-6448 or contact us here.

Even in traditionally warm parts of the country, the winter can bring some pretty dang severe weather. If you’re worried about your trees when Jack Frost starts to bite, here are several steps to take to ensure they stay safe over the long haul. So put on those earmuffs and go make sure your woody winners are safe!

1. Mulch, Mulch, Mulch!

Mulch performs a huge variety of tree-related services. It keeps water in, prevents weeds from growing and competing for resources (or looking unsightly), and protects delicate roots near the surface from animals. However, one of its most important tasks is to keep soil warm. This makes it much less likely that roots will die off, which in turn ensures the tree’s ability to get enough water.

2. Water Before a Cold Front Hits

Did you know trees are almost as susceptible to drying out in winter as in summer? Even though the sun’s heat doesn’t beat down this time of year, the air is often very dry. Without the protective humidity, trees give up tons of water through their leaves, which can then dry out and curl up, damaging or even killing trees … especially if they’re young.

Watering before a cold spell can help a lot. Not only does this ensure your tree is hydrated, it protects roots, since moist soil retains and radiates heat much more effectively than dry dirt. Get a soil probe and use this guide to ensure you water to the proper depth.

3. Wrap Trunks

Trees suffer damage when temperatures alternate between warmth and cold. The former makes them expand, while the latter shrinks them, resulting in cracking.

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, one of the best ways to protect trees is to wrap their trunks. This is especially important with young trees or those that have very thin bark (think birches, for example). You can get wraps at a garden supply store or order them online. Be sure to wrap trunks before the cold rolls in, and leave them on throughout the winter.

Want help protecting your treasured trees? Call in the experts here at Premier Tree Solutions in Atlanta. We help maintain trees in a variety of ways, including trimming and pruning, storm clean up and first aid, branch clearing, and more. Get in touch with us today! Give us a call at 404-252-6448 or contact us here.

Get to know Georgia’s beautiful array of trees and how you can take care of your own! Each month, we feature some of the most popular trees in the state. For December, we are showcasing the Evergreen Tree. Learn all about Evergreens below!